Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wrapped up his two-day visit to South Korea on Wednesday, and left for an "ice-thawing" journey to Japan.

 

Wen described his visit as "substantial and fruitful" shortly before concluding his South Korean tour, saying that the future looked good for cooperation between the two countries.

 

During his stay in South Korea, Wen held talks with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. All vowed to further develop the political and economic ties between the two neighbors.

 

Wen told Roh that China is ready to promote bilateral ties to anew level and put forward five concrete proposals to enhance the ties.

 

He expected that joint efforts should be made to continuously push the China-South Korea all-round partnership of cooperation forward.

 

Wen also highlighted the personnel and cultural exchanges between the two countries at the opening ceremony of the China-South Korea Exchange Year, describing such exchanges as the solid foundation of bilateral friendship.

 

Wen arrived in Seoul on Tuesday morning for his first ever visit as premier to South Korea.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2007)